Q&A for How to Plant Sugar Cane

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  • Question
    How do I treat sugar cane that is diseased?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    If you notice disease on your sugar cane, cut away the affected area to prevent it from spreading. It's best if you prevent disease by sanitizing your gardening and harvesting tools with rubbing alcohol
  • Question
    Does sugar cane need a lot of water?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Sugar cane should be watered throughout the growing season, especially during the hotter summer months. Sugarcane is sensitive to overwatering in its youngest stage of growth, so don't overdo it when your plants are young.
  • Question
    How long does it take sugarcane to grow?
    Community Answer
    It takes about a year to fully grow sugarcane. Some species can take about a year and a half.
  • Question
    What is the name of this planting method?
    Community Answer
    Vegetative propagation by using cuttings. In this method, planting material is taken from actively growing young plants. The age of the plant used for propagation should be around 10 months. Avoid using planting material from old stools to prevent spread of pests and diseases.
  • Question
    How long does it take from the time sugar cane is planted until it is harvested?
    Community Answer
    That depends upon the weather and how much sugar you want in your cane. Generally, most varieties mature in about 10-14 months.
  • Question
    Where do the seeds come from?
    Community Answer
    There is no seed. The sugar cane itself is all that is needed. Just read the first 3 below.
  • Question
    When is the best time to plant sugar cane from a seed?
    Community Answer
    Follow the instructions listed in the article above.
  • Question
    Can I replant sugarcane in same spot?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if the soil is nutritious you can replant it over and over again. Make sure you continue to fertilize.
  • Question
    Does the sugar syrup need to be refrigerated if I open the canning jar?
    Community Answer
    No. Sugarcane syrup will stay good for years at room temperature. If you refrigerate it, it will thicken and be very slow to pour.
  • Question
    How much spacing should there be between the rows of sugar cane?
    Community Answer
    Plant the whole stalks as close as you wish, perhaps about 6" apart. Each joint will develop plants.
  • Question
    For planting sugarcane, which climatic conditions are most suitable?
    Community Answer
    Warm or tropical weather. Or plant in a large container that you can move to a greenhouse, garage, or other warmer building when the frost comes.
  • Question
    What low temperature will kill my sugar cane tree?
    Community Answer
    Low temperature will never kill your sugar cane. It will only be dormant and will regrow when the weather permits.
  • Question
    Can I get growing sugar cane at an Asian market meant for food? Will it grow?
    Community Answer
    Yes, press it for juice, chew it, or plant it. All the same stalk of Sugarcane.
  • Question
    To grow sugar cane, how many inches from plane to plane would it take?
    Community Answer
    You should allow about 12-14 feet between each plane.
  • Question
    Can I plant sugar cane in a large pot?
    Community Answer
    A pot is not advisable at all. It is better to plant in fertile soil so that it will grow to its maximum potential.
  • Question
    I have just planted 3 hectares of sugar cane. Can I spray the new shoots with a water/bio/fertilizer mix?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but use smaller doses, and increase the dose as they grow while monitoring their health.
  • Question
    When do I plant a newly harvested sugar cane stalk?
    Community Answer
    It's best to start in February. You can plant them then. They will eventually sprout my March or April and you can harvest them in the fall.
  • Question
    How is the first sugarcane grown without seeds?
    Community Answer
    You take a sugar cane and cut it up into 1 foot sections, placing them in a 4 inch deep trench horizontally.
  • Question
    Will the roots of sugar cane spread like bamboo?
    Community Answer
    It will not "spread" from rhizomes (underground roots) like bamboo; however, if a stalk falls properly (by wind or weight) and is able to germinate roots into the soil at a nodule, it can spread by this method.
  • Question
    What is the profit potential for sugar cane? Where can I sell it?
    Community Answer
    Unless you have a huge farm close to a sugar mill, the only way to profit is to sell it stalk by stalk in the fall at local farmers markets or using online local selling sites.
  • Question
    If I add the nitrogen fertilizer while planting the sugar cane, will it work better?
    Community Answer
    No. In fact, it may burn the young growth. Wait several months until it is established.
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